LAV501: AVID 11 (2014-2015)

Major Concepts/Content: Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) is an academic elective course that prepares students for college readiness and success, and it is scheduled during the regular school day as a year-long course. Each week, students receive instruction utilizing a rigorous college-preparatory curriculum provided by the AVID Center, tutor-facilitated study groups, motivational activities and academic success skills. In AVID, students participate in activities that incorporate strategies focused on writing, inquiry, collaboration, organization and reading to support their academic growth.

Major Instructional Activities: : The eleventh-grade AVID Elective course is the first part in a junior/senior seminar course that focuses on writing and critical thinking expected of first- and second-year college students. This course is organized around the theme of “Leadership as a Catalyst for Change in Society.” Students study, in depth, exceptional leaders in contemporary society and examine the effect these individuals have had on culture, politics, education, history, science and the arts. The course requires that students read essays, speeches, articles and letters by these leaders, and at least one full-length work by the leader or about the leader. Also, each student is required to conduct a research project that is presented in the senior year. In addition to the academic focus of the AVID seminar, there are college-bound activities, methodologies and tasks that should be undertaken during the junior year to support students as they apply to four-year universities and confirm their postsecondary plans.
The twelfth-grade AVID Elective course is the second part in a junior/senior seminar course that focuses on writing and critical thinking expected of first‐ and second‐year college students. This course continues around the theme of “Leadership as a Catalyst for Change in Society.” Students will complete a final research essay project from research conducted in their junior year in AVID. In addition to the academic focus of the AVID senior seminar, there are college‐bound activities, methodologies and tasks that should be achieved during the senior year that support students as they apply to four‐year universities and confirm their postsecondary plans. All AVID seniors are required to develop and present a portfolio representing their years of work in the AVID Program and complete the requirements for the seminar course

Major Evaluative Techniques: : Skill-based strategies in the areas of organization, reading, writing, inquiry and collaboration are assessed via multiple checklists and rubrics available via the AVID Center. Formative assessments are regularly used to differentiate and scaffold instruction. Examples are timed writings, practice college entrance tests, participation in Socratic Seminars, and other activities. Students regular self-reflect and receive feedback from their peers, tutors and AVID teacher. Students are required to develop and present the Multi-Grade Level Portfolio at the end of each year, representing their work in the AVID Program.

Course Objectives: • Take courses that meet the four-year college entrance requirements.
• Participate in tutorials for academic courses.
• Learn and apply AVID skills, including focused-notetaking, organization, time management, and goal-setting.
• Improve oral communication skills through a variety of activities, including Socratic Seminar, Philosophical Chairs and other structures for collaboration.
• Participate in writing to learn activities, including note-taking, learning logs, and essay writing.
• Using the rubrics and scoring guides available via the AVID Center, learn to evaluate the writing of others and their own.
• Prepare for college entrance examinations, including the SAT and ACT.
• Complete and present a Multi-Grade Level Portfolio of their work in AVID.

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